Eagles optimistic heading into conference play

The first year for FGCU basketball under new head coach Michael Fly hasn't exactly gone according to plan.

Monday, December 31st 2018, 5:39 PM EST by Andrew McDevitt

The first year for FGCU basketball under new head coach Michael Fly hasn't exactly gone according to plan. The Eagles wrapped up their nonconference schedule in the final weekend of 2018 with a loss on the road at Ole Miss, dropping them to 5-10 on the year.

However, the group is optimistic heading into ASun play with a clean slate.

"We are 0-0 right now so, basically it’s like a new season. This is the season that really matters," freshman guard Zach Scott said.

"It’s been our league for the past three or four or five years actually, and it’s not going to change this year," he said.

Talk is cheap and it's easy for the 5-10 Eagles to simply say that things will be different in conference play but what would leave fans to believe that is the case.

First, the Eagles are in a unique situation having to replace five starters from last season, and not only that but they've also dealt with injuries throughout the first half of the season. Troy Baxter and Ricky Doyle have been in and out of the lineups with nagging injuries. Brian Thomas and RaySean Scott Jr. weren't healthy at the start of the season and have slowly been integrated into the rotation.

"I feel like we're way better. If you watch her practice you would know. We’ve just had a real tough schedule. We’ve dealt with a lot of injuries. I was out six weeks. Now that we have all our pieces together we’re gonna make a big impact," RaySean Scott said.

The Eagles have also had a schedule loaded with away games. Only a third of their nonconference games have been played at Alico Arena.

"This is a good opportunity get back to practice get back home, which we’ve had very few home games this year so it’s nice to get back to Alico Arena and hopefully get a fresh start," head coach Michael Fly said.

He's optimistic the Eagles' historic home court advantage will continue despite their below average start.

"You hope that your fans will always be there good times bad times because what we've established and the tradition and history," Fly said.